Pump assembly having plurality of individual pump units



p 1959 A. D. DINNISON ETAL 2,902,935

PUMP ASSEMBLY HAVING PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL PUMP UNITS Filed May 24,1957 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TORS A. DEA/V DIN/VISO/V ARNOLD H. WAMSLE'YERNEST MHANSE/V ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1959 A. D. DINNISONI ETAL' 2,902,935

PUMP ASSEMBLY HAVING PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL PUMP UNITS Filed May 24,1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS A. DEA/V DIN/W80 ARNOLD H WAMSLE YERNEST W HANSEN BY mzc @JWV ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1959 A. D. DINNISON ETAL2,902,935

PUMP ASSEMBLY HAVING PLURALITY QF INDIVIDUAL PUMP UNITS Filed May 24,1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS A. DEA/V BMW/SON ARNOLD H. WAMSLEYERNEST W HANSEN BY 52% J m ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofifice2,902,935 Patented Sept. .8, 195.9

PUNIP ASSEMBLY HAVING PLURALITY OF lNDIVIDUAL PUB/1P UNITS Arthur DeanDinnison, Veradale, Arnold H. Wamsley, Spokane, and Ernest W. Hansen,Clarkston, Wash.

Application May 24, 1957, Serial No. 661,411

3 Claims. (Cl. 103-4) This invention relates to a pump assemblycomprised of a plurality of individual pump units. More specifically,this invention relates to a pump assembly comprising a plurality ofindividual pump units, each unit comprising a casing and a rotor, eachof said casings having coupling means on its ends, said units beingcoupled in endto-end relation, each of said rotors being operated by asingle rotor shaft passing through the assembly.

Still more specifically, this invention relates to a pumping assemblycomprising a plurality of identical pump casing units, each unit havinga projection on one end and a recess in its other end, whereby as saidunits are arranged in a row in end-to-end relation with the projectionof one unit nesting in the recess of an adjacent unit, the units form acompact series of individual selfcontained pumps drivable by a singleshaft.

It is often desirable in pumping a liquid from single or multiplesources to a plurality of outlets that the pressure at each of saidoutlets be equal. As an example, in the distribution of liquidfertilizer from a mobile tank having a plurality of ground-engagingfertilizer injectors, it is desirable that the pressure at each of theinjectors be equal in order to discharge approximately the same amountof liquid through each injector over a given period of time so thatdistribution of the fertilizer will be even over the area worked andspotty growth will not result. In effecting such pumping in the past, ithas been common to provide an outlet from the tank to a pump and to leadthe pump discharge to a single manifold connecting the injectors.Disadvantages in this arrangement is obvious. In the first place, theinjector nearest the pump obviously receives the greatest pressure andwill therefore discharge the greatest amount of liquid. Secondly, greatpump pressure is required to build up enough head to pressurize the lastinjector on the manifold. Thirdly, since the injectors all are connectedto a single manifold, they do not operate independently: should oneinjector become plugged with dirt or other foreign matter, the remaininginjectors would receive greater liquid pressure and would, consequently,discharge more liquid.

Hence, in the application of liquid fertilizer to the ground in a systemas described above, it is desirable to have each injector connected toan independent pressure source. In the past, to accomplish such aresult, individual pumps each with its casing, rotor, and shaft havebeen used. The cost of such an arrangement has been found to beprohibitive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pump assemblycomprising a plurality of pump units simple and economical tomanufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide an assembly comprising aplurality of identical pump units to which plurality additional unitscan be easily and simply added as desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump assemblycomprising a plurality of individual pump units each unit having a caseincluding only one closed end,

said units being placed end-to-end in assembly whereby the closed end ofa unit becomes the second closed end of an adjacent unit, and wherebyeach unit is closed from its adjacent units.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump assemblycomprising a plurality of individual pump units, arranged in anend-to-end row, the outlets of each of said units being separate andindependent of the other outlets.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pump assemblycomprising a plurality of individual pump units, each unit having anextension defining a portion of a manifold, said portions forming, whenthe units are arranged in end-to-end relation, a manifold for theassembly.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a pump assemblycomprising a plurality of individual units arranged end-to-end andhaving novel end plate means to keep the units in the assembleddisposition.

This invention embodies other novel features, details of constructionand arrangement of parts which are hereinafter set forth in thespecification and claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of the pump assembly;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the assembled pump assembly;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showingthe circular filler plate partially broken away to exhibit the rotor;and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line .-4- of Fig. 3showing two juxtaposed pump units.

Briefly, the invention is a pump assembly comprising a plurality ofindividual pump units, each unit including a substantially cylindricalblock having an open end and a closed end, said open end having a recesstherein and a well, and said closed end having a raised projection ofsubstantially the same shape and size and location as said recess, acentral shaft hole in each closed end, each of said blocks havingperipheral cylindrical projections, said peripheral projections havingaxial bores therethrough communicating with the inside of said well, arotor received in each well, said assembly including a plurality of saidunits disposed end to end with the circular pro jection of one unitfitting into the recess of an adjacent unit, said peripheral projectionsforming manifolds, sealing means between adjacent units, and a singledrive shaft extending through the shaft hole in each of said units todrive said rotors, and means to hold said units in said assembleddisposition.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the assembly of myinvention is shown in the exploded View in Fig. 1 wherein the assemblyis broadly designated 10. The assembly comprises a plurality of pumpunits 12 and 12 arranged in end-to-end relation and held together by endplates 14 and 14'. While Fig. 1 shows an assembly comprising only twounits, obviously any number of units could be used. Each unit includes acasing 16 and 16' having a rotor 18 and 18' therein, and a single shaft20 extends through the assembly to drive the rotors in the individualunits. The end plates are held together by bolt means 22 runninglongitudinally of the assembly. Bolt means 22 and nuts 22' are shown inphantom in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 show in detail the structure of the individual pump units.Each comprises a casing including a substantially cylindrical block 24having an open end 26 and a closed end 28. A circular recess 30 isdisposed concentrically in the open end, and arranged concentrically inthe recess is a deep well 32 adapted to serve as a pumping chamber. Anannular groove 34 is disposed in the radial floor of the recessconcentrically around the well. Formed on diametrically opposite sidesof the walls of the well are a pair of convex cams 36. On the closed endof the cylindrical block is a circular projection 38 disposed-concentricwith respect to the block. Projection 38=is of slightly lesser dimensionthan .the recess 30 and is of .the same shape and location withrespect-to the .axis of the block. A shaft hole 40 extends axiallythrough the closed end of the block.

.A pair -.of cylindrical projections 42 and 44 having faxes parallel.tozthe axis or-the block are secured .to the periphery .ofthe block atdiametrically opposed points. .The peripheral .projections eachlhaveaxial bores 46 and 48, 'and anannular groove 50 or SZisdisposed on theend .of .each of the ,peripheral projections adjacent the .closed.end.ofthe-cylindrical block. The height of the block and o'f.theperipheralprojections are'the same and they are .coextensive.

From inside the well of the block, openings extend .more r lessradiallyout to the outside of the block. .Onegpaiitof openings 54 extendfrom the vwell through the walls .of the block .24 and into the axialbores 46 or 48 in theperipheral.projections. As can be seen in .Fig. 3,theseopenings extend more or less longitudinallyofthe block. Theopenings form the inlets into the ;pump.housing when'the'cam surfaces 36are arranged on the walls of the block as shown in Fig. 3 and theimpeller 18 :which .fits in the well 32 is turned clockwise. As can beseen in Fig. 3, the cam surfaces 36 are dis- ;posed with their centersapproximately 45 degrees off the longitudinal center line of the casing16, said angle :being. measured .atthe axis of the block. A second pairof substantially .radial openings 56 form the discharge outlets for thepump and extend roughly-widthwise of the block. Openings 56 are enlargedand tapped at 58 to each -receive an elbow fitting 60 as shown in Fig.3. Preferably, theblock is somewhatthickened inthis area -62 for extrastrength in support of the fitting. At each of the extreme-ends of thecasing 12 an opening 64-ex- "tends radial-of the peripheral projectionin a direction awayfrom the cylindrical-block 24. These openings areenlarged andtapped as at-66 to each receive a threaded plug 68. Theplugsterminate in a square nut adapted to beengaged by a-wrench. By thismeans the openings may be easily opened for cleaning 'or inspectionpurposes. The peripheral projections are thickened in thisarea 70tosupport the plugs.

The structure of an individual pump unit according to rthisinvention hasbeen described. A plurality .of-identi- .eal individual units may beused to form a pump as- :sembly. In the drawings, an assembly comprisingtwo units :is'illustrated :and, for the sake ofsimplicity, the samereference numerals :have been used to designate the same parts of eachpump unit. :For clarity, how- --ever, :in'the second unit, thesereference numerals have :been;primed.

Whilezthe casing :12 may be madeof any material, it *hasibeemfoundinexpensive and entirely satisfactory to form ;the :casing .of *thezunit from a rigid plastic. This :results in ,a light Weight unit that:is .non-corrosive. In using asueh plastic, the casing may be molded inone :piece iwith the peripheral projections 42 and 44 in-v :tegral "withthe cylindrical :block 124.

In assembling aplurality .of pump units .12, the .impeller 18 or rotormade of a molded flexiblematerial such as rubber ;or plastic .and.preferably of .a corrosion iresistantresilient material such asneoprene :rubber is inserted in each well. The impeller (see :Fig. 3)comprises aacentral :hub 74 having a plurality .of vanes 76or'finsrarranged radially therefrom. The vanes 76 or :fins -.are of-suchresilient nature thatas the impeller 18 is turned.they'are'distorted.out of position .by the con- .vex cam surfaces :36 in -'the=wa1l :ofthe well 32. This z-action isas .describediin-the .Mayus et a1. :Patent2,663,- 263. Each impeller '18is provided -withzan.axial shaftiwa-y' 78and'a radially extending threaded opening=adapted'to receive a 'setscrew 80 whereby said impeller is keyed to the shaft 20. The pump unit12 also comprises a number of O-rings; one 82 of which is disposed inthe annular groove 50 and 52 about the axial bore in each peripheralcylindrical projection 42 and 44. The third O-ring 84 is of larger sizeand fits into the annular groove 34 in the circular recess in the openend of the block. The O-rings are annular "sealing members and are ofsufficient dimension 'to protrude above the annular grooves inwhich'they are positioned, respectively. They are also of sufiicierltlyresilient nature as to give under the pressure oftheabutting'surface'and to form a tight seal therewith so that no liquidmay seep therebetween. (See Fig. 4.)

The manner in which two adjacent pumping units are assembled inend-to-end relation is shown in Fig. 4. With the O-rings in theirrespective grooves, the units are arranged with the circular projection38 on one unit extending into the circular recess 30' of a second unitsothat the recess O-ring 84' abuts the circular projection 38. The axialbores 46 and 48 in the peripheral projections 42 and 44 respectively arealigned, and the O-rings 82 are placed between peripheral projections onadjacent units. Under compression the three O-rings which are disposedbetween adjacent units 12 and 12 are flattened to form a seal about theaxial bores and thepump chambers. The single shaft 20 which extendsthrough the shaft holes 40' in the row of end-to-end units and-alsothrough the axial shaft-ways 78 of the impellers 18 is formed with aspline 86, and the set screw of each impeller 18 extends into the splineslightly to key the impellers with respect to the shaft. The set screws80 are not-tightened: instead the impellers 18 are allowed free playalong the shaft 20 so that the abutment of the ends of each impeller on.the opposite walls of its'pump chamber are equalized, alfording agoodseal on both ends. The shaft 20 may be splined at two points as shown at"86 and 86a to enable the impellers 1-8 to .be staggered radial todistribute the load.

To close off the open end of the cylindrical block 24 disposed at theend of the row of units, a circular plate 88 having a central aperture90 is provided. As shown in Fig. 4,'this'plate 88 fits'around the shaft20 and, under'compression, engages the end 'of the impeller hub 74 andthe 'O-ring 84in therecess 39 to seal the pump chamber from leakage.

As can be seen,the axialbores 46.and 48.of peripheral projection ofadjacent units, when aligned, form manifolds 92 and'94 to supply liquidto the inlet ports of the pump units. As shown in Fig. 4, one end ofeach of theimanifolds may be internally threaded and plugged by aconventional threaded plug 96. These plugs are similar to the plugs 68in the peripheralcylindrical projections.

Covering the ends .of the assembled row ,of pump units are the endplates14 and14', one plate beingdispescd respectively over each end. The endplates .are each provided with an outwardly extending cylindricalprojection 98 and 100, respectively, housing a bearing (not shown)adapted to journal the shaft. Bearing 98 is opened at its end to allowan end of the shaft 20 to extend therethrough for engagement by suitabledriving means. Bearing 1% maybe closed at its end. Appropriate greasefittings are provided in the bearings. The end plate :14 which isadaptedto-engage the end oftherow of units exposing a'closed end having acircular projection 38' has a suitable recess 102 located concentricallyabout-bearing 100 to receivethe projection. Anannular'cushion 102 may beprovided in the recess to forma seating for the projection. The oppositeend plate 14 is adapted to engage the end of the row of=unitshaving anopen end closed by circularplate "88. Therefore, its inside surface isunrecessed. instead, a circularprojection 104 may be provided around thehole for shaft 20 to force the plate against the O- ring 84. (See Fig.2.)

The outer surfaces of both end plates 14 and 14 have a plurality ofraised bosses thereon. (See Fig. 2.) Each end plate is equipped withfour open bosses 106 arranged preferably symmetrical about the bearingprojection, and adapted to receive in abutment on their outer surfacesthe head of a bolt 22 or a nut 22'. The bolts 22 extend the length ofthe unit and draw the end plates together, causing the units 12 and 12'to be held compressively therebetween. Additional open bosses 1% arearranged on the outer surfaces of the end plates. These additionalbosses may all be interiorly threaded to receive in the case of the endplate 14 a portion of the closing plugs 96 threadedly engaged by the endunit 12. In the case of the end plate 14 the larger open bosses 108' maybe internally threaded to receive exterior piping connection such as theends of the Y-shaped connecting member 110 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.End plate 14' may be referred to as the connecting end plate.

At their lower ends, the end plates 14 and 14 are each enlarged and eachis provided with a lightening hole 112 or 112 respectively to reduce theweight of the members. The enlarged areas in the two end plates havealigned openings 114 and 114' being aligned, to provide means to pivotmount the assembly and aligned arcuate slots 116 and 116 for fixing thepivot.

With the device assembled (see Fig. 2) it is easy to install. Briefly,the assembly is firmly supported by bolts engaging holes and arcuateslots. A source of liquid is connected to the manifolds 92 and 94through the Y-shaped fixture 110. Thus, liquid is supplied to each ofthe pump chambers through both its inlet passages 54. To the outletelbow fittings 60 suitable flexible hosing 118 may be attached leadingto the desired point of use of the fluid. The shaft 20 is then turned bydrive means associated with its end. As it rotates, the impellers 18force fluid by positive displacement out of the separate outlet ports.56 to the point of use.

Because the assembly according to this invention is extremely simple andinexpensive, it is now feasible to provide in a compact assembly aseparate pump for each of multiple outlets. By making thisaccomplishment feasible, our invention will be appreciated in all sortsof uses, the distribution of liquid fertilizer merely being one.

In addition, this invention offers the feature that if more individualoutlets are needed, additional units 12 need only be added to theassembly.

While this invention has been shown in but one form, it will be obviousto those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications. We do not desire to be limited bythis specific disclosure, but by the spirit of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A pump assembly comprising a plurality of identical pump units, eachunit comprising a substantially cylindrical block and a pump rotor, saidblock having an opened end and a closed end, said open end having acircular axially inwardly extending recess having a radial floor, saidfloor having a substantially circular axially inwardly extending welladapted to serve as a pumping chamber, said recess and said well beinglocated concentrically in said substantially cylindrical block and saidwell receiving said pump rotor, said block having peripherally outwardlyextending manifold sections on diametrically opposite sides thereof,each of said manifold sections having a bore extending therethrough in adi rection parallel to the axis of the block, means communicating eachof said bores to said well, each of said wells having radially extendingoutlet openings, said closed end having a shaft hole therein and anaxially outwardly extending circular projection, said shaft hole andsaid circular projection being located concentrically in saidsubstantially cylindrical block, said circular projection being ofslightly less diameter than said recess, said blocks being juxtaposed inan end-to-end row, with the projection of the closed end of one blocknesting into the recess in the open end of the next adjacent block, saidprojection closing the well of the said next adjacent block, said boresin the manifold sections of adjacent blocks being aligned to form fluidmanifolds each communicating with the wells of each of the individualpump units, a shaft extending through the shaft hole in each of saidblocks and engaging each of said rotors whereby as the shaft is turnedrelative to said blocks, said rotors turn with respect to said blocks topump fluid through said manifolds, into said wells and out of saidoutlet openings.

2. A pump assembly as described in claim 1 wherein the radial floor ofsaid recess is formed with an annular groove located concentricallyabout said well, said last named groove receiving an annular resilientsealing member, said annular resilient sealing member engaging theaxially outwardly extending circular projection on the adjacent blockwhich nests in said recess.

3. A pump assembly as described in claim 1 wherein one side of eachmanifold section is formed with an annular groove located concentricallyabout each bore and an annular resilient sealing member is received intoeach groove respectively, said annular resilient sealing member engagingthe adjacent manifold section on the adjacent pump unit about the borethereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS796,724 Hewitt Aug. 8, 1905 1,218,300 Nelson Mar. 6, 1917 1,531,607Green Mar. 31, 1925 2,548,865 Gordinier Feb. 5, 1952 2,620,553 SchultzDec. 9, 1952 2,663,263 Mayus et al. Dec. 22, 1953 2,669,466 Cloete Feb.16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 25,545 Finland Aug. 27, 1952 596,064 GreatBritain Dec. 24, 1947 630,393 Great Britain Oct. 12, 1949

